Page 8 of The Fixer

Patting moisturizer on my face, I frowned at the dark bags beneath my eyes and then reached for the strict regimen he somehow knew I used. I added dabs of products beneath my thick, black lashes and then to some other problem spots before I washed my hands.

Leaving the bra, garter belt, and accessories behind, I left the bathroom. The dress he’d hung up, wasn’t red. It was a mini corset slip dress. It was satin with a feminine cut featuring a cowl neckline, and a corsetry cinching in the waistline. Dropping the towel, I slipped on the thin, delicate lace panties and pulled the dress up my narrow hips. Quickly zipping it up, I walked to the settee at the end of the bed and finished the look off with the heels.

Finally, I turned to the full-length mirror and smiled wickedly. My shield surged, gently sheathing me with a thick layer of confidence and another of fierce, powerful feminineness. Slowly exhaling a breath, I headed into the bathroom and found it vacant. Giving myself a quick, abrasive shake, I headed for the mirror.

It took only a few moments to apply enough makeup to hide the dark circles and spots. Leaning closer to the mirror, I lengthened my lashes with serum before trading it for mascara. Forcing, myself to blinking several times, I repeated the process with the other lashes. Pushing the tubes back into the designated spot, I withdrew the rose-gold lip stain and lathered a thin layer on. I took in the clean, delicate look I’d pulled off with satisfaction.

Slowly flicking my gaze to the doorway, I greedily feasted on how Raithe looked in a pair of faded jeans and nothing else. My gaze paused hesitantly on his bare feet, before I turned away and withdrew the gloss, adding a layer of cherry sheen for a darker hue. When I started from the room, his low whistle gave me pause.

“I can see why you feel as if it is armor. You’d bring a mortal man to his knees for a chance to worship you, Elle.” The huskiness of his words caused tightening in my abdomen. His bare feet padded over the expensive marbled flooring, pausing behind me. “How many men have you let see you without it on?”

“Two,” I answered through trembling lips. “My father and brother.” Not waiting to see what his reply would be, I left the bathroom with a wicked grin curving my lips. “We’re late. Don’t keep me waiting, darling. I’m famished.” Then I yanked the door closed without a backward glance.

I didn’t linger in the bedroom. Moving into the small kitchenette in the sitting room, I opened the fridge and scanned the selection before settling on a bottle of VOSS water. He’d stocked my favorites, even the sweets I preferred when my monthly visited. He’d had me stalked long enough to figure out my likes and dislikes, which burned since I’d failed to notice a tail.

The connecting door opened, causing me to lower the bottle from my lips. He was dressed in a crisp, white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal his heavily tattooed forearms and a pair of Neiman Marcus relaxed, medium washed jeans. Handmade black combat boots adorned his feet, sleek, and yet simple. His dark hair was still damp from his shower, but the earthy spice of bergamot, masculinity, and something else preceded him and filled the air of the apartment.

“I’ll escort you down to the dining room now,” he instructed. “I’ve taken the liberty of having my men retrieve your team. They’ll be landing in the next hour if they beat the incoming storm front pushing in on the island. I hope you don’t mind? Time isn’t something we have to waste, and I have a feeling you’d run the clock down if allowed to.”

“You seem to take a lot of liberties where I am concerned, Mr. Dravyn,” I countered, folding my arms over my chest, still holding the bottle with a death grip.

“Not as many as I’d like to,” he returned with a note in his voice that played with my pussy harder than any finger had before.

“How long have you been stalking me?” I asked, ignoring the effect his statement had on me. “Don’t lie to me, either. We’re going to be very close if you expect me to do this job correctly. By the time I leave, I will know all of your dark corners. There won’t be any part of you I’ve not dissected and investigated. I’ll know your deepest desires, darkest fantasies, and all your dirty laundry will be washed clean.”

His eyes sparkled with intensity as I called him out on his shit. I was thinking he liked my blunt, to-the-point personality. Then there was also the fact of his need to dominate, control, and test me. In the jet, he’d been turned on by my submission, but he’d enjoyed the defiance just as much. “You think you will, but you’ll only be told what is absolutely imperative to obtain a spot in the campaign for presidency. Trust me, Elle, you don’t want to know how much blood I’ve spilled or how many maidens have been plundered and pillaged.” Closing the gap between us, he paused before me. His long, narrow finger played with the thin strap of my dress before he said, “If you really knew me, you’d lose your tight grasp on reality and run screaming into the night, gorgeous girl.”

“I’m not afraid of monsters,” I hissed through clenched teeth. “I’ve been around them since birth. You’d be surprised what I can handle.”

“Yeah? My line is filled with corrupt, animalistic monsters that feed and prey on humanity,” he murmured, abandoning the strap to trace a line of fire over my racing pulse. “You should be terrified of the monster beneath the civilized façade I wear. Come, we’re wasting precious time. My team is below, waiting to meet you.” His hand dropped as he turned on his heel, heading toward the door. “Now, Miss Reed. I despise being late.”

Frowning at the clipped arrogance in his tone, I followed him to the dining hall. The moment I entered it, men rose from their seated, relaxed positions and bowed their heads to Raithe. Raithe tipped his dark head, but he didn’t speak until he was at the head of the table. An attendant moved out of the shadows, pulling out the chair beside him before turning toward me. I hadn’t known the man was there, and he’d moved so rapidly I’d barely caught the fluid motion.

“My lady,” he whirred with a softly whispered brogue.

“Thank you,” I replied, sitting in the chair and lifting as he scooted it in further.

“Serve the meal, Alberto,” Raithe ordered in a gentle tone, filled with fondness for the attendant.

“We’ve prepared Arabian buttered eggs on Turkish bread,” Albert stated. “Poached rhubarb with labne, and a wild mushroom bruschetta for the main course.” Then trays were set on the table and the lids were lifted. When so many attendants had come into the room was a mystery. “Is it to the lady’s expectations?”

“Very much so,” I acknowledged. “It looks amazing. Thank you.”

“May I get you a mimosa or champagne?” he inquired.

“Orange juice would be amazing, but hold the champagne. I’m not a big drinker, I’m afraid.” I kept tight reins on my drinking when I was on a job or around a client.

In my experience, once you allowed anything to influence your mind, everything would begin snowballing downhill. Men held control and dominance in most industries. If a woman wanted to garner influence, she needed her wits to slay those who thought us weak, delicate, subordinate beings. Drinking wasn’t my forte. One drink and I’d be walking on my lips. Not to mention, the brandy from the plane before they’d tossed me out was still swirling in my belly. Raithe hadn’t given me a choice to drink it, really. The food laid before me made my mouth water, forcing my focus back to it.

The tantalizing scent of rhubarb and heavy cream tickled my nose, filling my mind with memories of my grandmother. They’d smothered it in spices, strawberries, and poached it to perfection. After lathering the labne with the cream, I picked up the small, silver ladle and drizzled the fruit over the frothy, fluffy layer I’d put on.

Raithe watched me with something worrisome churning in his storm-colored depths, but when he caught me looking, he smiled.

“Eat, Elle,” he muttered, sitting deeper into his chair. One attendant placed a bottle of water before him, which he opened and downed before offering his plate to the man waiting behind him. “I had a snack while you slumbered in your bath,” he explained. Laughter sounded around the table. It caused my focus to move to the others, furrowing my brow. I tried to figure out what they’d found funny about his statement.

“Is there something I missed?” I asked pointedly. When no one answered, I snorted and turned back to attack the food, only to discover I’d lost my appetite. Still, I took a small bite of the labne, and my brows rose toward my hairline at the explosion of flavors hitting my taste buds. After another bite, I pushed the tray away and folded my hands in my lap, chewing my lip.

“Is something wrong with the food?” Raithe asked, sitting forward, resting his elbows on the table before placing his chin on his knuckles.

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